HOW MANY LIGHTS SHOULD THERE BE IN A KITCHEN?
When it comes to hard and fast rules for kitchen lighting, there is no easy way to answer how many lights there should exactly be in the kitchen, because it depends on so many variables and will differ broadly depending on what type or size of kitchen you have. ‘It’s not the amount of light fixtures, but the amount of lighting, that matters,’ says Eugene Colberg, principal at Colberg Architecture. How effective the lighting is lighting depends on size of the kitchen, the height of the ceiling and where the natural light is coming from. 'Most modern kitchens will benefit from a central lighting source plus a combination of practical, space-saving wall lights and spotlights,' says Charlie Bowles, director at Original BTC.
WHAT ARE THE DIFFERENT KINDS OF LIGHTS YOU CAN HAVE?
So let's break these types of lights down further. In terms of overhead ambient lighting, lights in the kitchen are typically recessed - that is installed directly into the ceiling, flush-mount - which sits directly on the surface and shines down, track lighting - which is supported on a stylish track or rail, or decorative, such as a chandelier or statement pendant fixture. All can be supported with dimmers, which is a great addition for a kitchen, giving you full power to create any atmosphere or mood you want. This is a good foundation for open plan living areas.
HOW MANY PENDANTS SHOULD YOU HAVE IN A KITCHEN?
Kitchen pendant lighting is a great option for overhead lighting, beautifully complementing recessed lighting with extra light that can also act as a statement fixture in the space. There are so many different styles to pick from too, from industrial metal pendants to cute ceramic scallop-edged pieces with a rise-and-fall function, to pieces made of interesting fabrics or materials, there is a real range out there that can help establish the interior design style of your kitchen. Always consider the rule of three when planning your pendant placement. Do you have enough space for three artfully displayed over your island or kitchen dining table? This will give a nice cohesive structure to the design. Alternatively, one makes more of a statement in a smaller space.
HOW MANY LAMPS SHOULD YOU HAVE IN A KITCHEN?
'Regarding lamps, a floor lamp is probably not a good idea in a traditional kitchen because it can be knocked over and there is no natural place to put it,' says Eugene. 'If the kitchen is large or part of a bigger room, go ahead and try it.' Think about small accent lights for darker corners too, a cute bulb table lamp won't take up too much space and can be moved around as kitchen cabinet lighting as and when you need it.
HOW MANY RECESSED LIGHT FIXTURES SHOULD YOU HAVE IN A KITCHEN?
Recessed is a good overhead ambient light and kitchen ceiling lighting idea that can provide an even illumination across the ceiling. They are important for areas that might not have sconces or pendants lighting them and have a wide beam spread. It's hard to say exactly how many recessed light fixtures should be in one kitchen, but a common rule of thumb to follow is that you use one recessed light for every 4 to 6 square feet of ceiling space. Doing so provides even, overall illumination and making sure they are nicely spaced. 'Spacing can really depend on the room's orientation, ceiling height and what light type you are using as well as personal preference,' says Joe Human, designer in NYC and FL for Designs BY Human. 'I am always of the mindset you can't have too much light so everything I design in can be controlled and dimmed or dialed back to get the right atmosphere for the right time,' he adds.